Fife Flyers Ice Hockey Club are pleased to announce the signing of 6’0” Defenseman Olivier LeBlanc for 24/25 season. The 28 year old joins the club from French Ligue Magnus side Ducs d’Angers.
Olivier played his Major Junior hockey with the Saint John Sea Dogs and Cape Breton Screaming Eagles both of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In his second season, the Quebec native led the struggling Sea Dogs for points from the blueline. He was selected in the summer of 2014 by the Columbus Blue Jackets with their final pick in the 7th round of the NHL entry draft. Olivier would start the next season wearing the ‘C’ for Saint John but in January the organisation decided on a trade which sent their captain to the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.
LeBlanc spent the next two-and-a-half seasons with Cape Breton where once again he was recognised for his leadership and he wore the ‘C’ again in his final season there in 16/17. Once again he returned most points of all blueliners. New Brunswick was to continue to be where he played his hockey for a further 3 years as the then 21-year-old defenceman went on to study psychology at the University of New Brunswick helping the school claim the 17/18 and 18/19 USports Championships and the 18/19 USports University Cup Championship. In his time with the Varsity Reds he played alongside a number of players who played in the EIHL last season.
He stepped up into professional hockey in the 20/21 season, mid pandemic, with the Belleville Senators in the American Hockey League. In the following two seasons he was on a two way contract with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters and the Kalamazoo Wings of the East Coast League where he played alongside Max Humitz before ending the 22/23 season with the Florida Everblades who went on to win the Kelly Cup. Last season Olivier played his first season in Europe when he iced with Angers in the French Ligue Magnus.
Commenting on his signing with the Flyers, LeBlanc said “I am excited to come over to Scotland and join a competitive team with great fans for this upcoming season.”
Coach Tom Coolen added “LeBlanc, is a leader on and off the ice. He is a good skater and can be used in all situations.”
